What God Does When We Fail Him (Genesis 12:10-20)
Rev. William L. Barron, June 10, 2018Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Famine can apply to God's Word as well as to food. We live in a post-Christian world, according to many observers, with faithful people subjected to sufferings. We are reminded in James 1 that trials produce steadfastness. Through them, God molds us more and more into Jesus' image. Jesus was afflicted, but He never failed, although we do fail often. Abram trusted God through the trial of Isaac's commanded sacrifice. William Cowper wrote a hymn, "God Moves In A Mysterious Way," (His wonders to perform). Over all, He is merciful. His grace is constant throughout the book of Genesis. Consider the example of their wanderings in Egypt, brought about by famine in Canaan. Abram's half-lie about his relationship to Sarai resulted from not trusting God. Abram didn't "rub in" the truth of God's promises. Fulfillment of God's promises doesn't depend on our "help." What God says He will do, He will do it. Abram learned, and God led him back to Canaan.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Impossible Call | None | Lift Up Your Eyes And See » |
Genesis 12:10–20 (Listen)
10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
17 But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” 20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
(ESV)